2016 Jaguar XE unveiled with 340 hp

The details of the Jaguar XE were announced in London and from the looks and description of the luxury sport sedan, the car will give Jaguar lovers something to salivate over until it reaches U.S. dealerships in 2016, a year after launching in global markets.

The XE joins the XF and XJ models in Jaguar’s sedan line. The top Jaguar XE S model – the first Jaguar equipped with electric power steering – is powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 (the same engine in the F-TYPE) that produces 340 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls reaches 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and electronically tops out at 155 mph. The new Jaguar XE is aerodynamically-efficient with a low drag coefficient of 0.26.

The XE body is made from aluminum – and recycled aluminum – and marks the first model created from the new Jaguar Land Rover modular vehicle architecture, with a long wheelbase and low seating for a coupe-like profile, Jaguar announced.

Sports performance is demonstrated in large front air intakes, chrome side vents, rear spoiler and optional 20-inch forged alloy wheels. The car features the signature J-Blade daytime running lights and the rear lights feature a horizontal line intersecting a circle – a nod to the iconic E-Type.

The XE’s interior lives up to famed Jaguar hand-crafted feel and craftsmanship and features recycled fabrics and other materials. Jaguar will give buyers a choice of gloss black, textured aluminum or contemporary wood veneers, with generous front and rear head and legroom for front and rear seat passengers. Ambient lighting in a 10-color range is yet another detail included in the XE.

The Jaguar XE has a bevy of safety features and an all-new InControl Touch infotainment system. Among the safety and driver assist features included are All Surface Progress Control, which functions as a low-speed cruise control to improve brake and powertrain response in slippery conditions. The XE is also equipped with adaptive cruise control, closing vehicle sensing, blind spot monitoring, semi-automated parallel and perpendicular parking, and reverse traffic detection.

The XE will be equipped with Meridian audio systems, offering customers various options, from a 250 watt, 11-speaker systems to 825 watt, 15-speaker systems.